My electricity meter is supplying two flats

DVardysShadow

CandyBar wrote: »

Well, yes I suspect that the bypass was installed by builders. But the fact that the previous occupants of the two flats did not correct it/report it *is* malice. Also I don't think the two flats were on the same meter: I was told that the new credit meter replaced an existing meter (in 2005), so there have been two meters for a while... (and indeed as far as I know the flats have been split for a long time too)

Previous occupants not doing anything about it is not necessarily malice. You only got to the bottom of it by persistence beyond the norm.

CandyBar_2

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Previous occupants not doing anything about it is not necessarily malice. You only got to the bottom of it by persistence beyond the norm.

I don't know exactly what they know/knew, but my downstairs neighbour definitely knows something is up, since he isn't paying bills for his meter (I don't know if he's paying bills at all, but he certainly isn't paying them based on his consumption).

The people who lived in the top flat before me also certainly knew something was up, as they were not paying any bills at all, and apparently they refused to discuss the meter problems with my downstairs neighbour.

dogshome

Hi candybar - Whilst EDF refuse to put anything in writing, there is nothing to stop you confirming in writing what they have said to you on the phone, and with the fraud ramifications of this problem I would strogly advise that you do just that.

Premier_2

dogshome wrote: »

Hi candybar - Whilst EDF refuse to put anything in writing, there is nothing to stop you confirming in writing what they have said to you on the phone, and with the fraud ramifications of this problem I would strogly advise that you do just that.

Good suggestion.

I would advise it is all included in the formal complaint I advised lodging in post#65.

Sounds like it is going to be a big one ...

CandyBar_2

Premier wrote: »

Good suggestion.

I would advise it is all included in the formal complaint I advised lodging in post#65.

Sounds like it is going to be a big one ...

I'm writing a letter as we speak.

What exactly would I be complaining about (besides bad luck, shady builders, etc...)? It seems a bit early to be asking for any kind of compensation (due to EDF not figuring out its mistake earlier), when I haven't even got a refund on the excess I've paid EDF over the year...

harz99

CandyBar wrote: »

I'm writing a letter as we speak.

What exactly would I be complaining about (besides bad luck, shady builders, etc...)? It seems a bit early to be asking for any kind of compensation (due to EDF not figuring out its mistake earlier), when I haven't even got a refund on the excess I've paid EDF over the year...

The incorrect, inadequate advice and responses you received prior to the RPS person's visit would be a good starting point..........

Premier_2

CandyBar wrote: »

...What exactly would I be complaining about (besides bad luck, shady builders, etc...)? It seems a bit early to be asking for any kind of compensation (due to EDF not figuring out its mistake earlier), when I haven't even got a refund on the excess I've paid EDF over the year...

Everything that you think the supplier is responsible for directly.

That includes the supplier not immediately attending to the tampering of the supply, the incompetent (your word) responses you received, the fact they would not escalate your complaint when you asked, the fact they refused to put any response into wrinting, ... the lot.

I'm not one to complain to seek compo. I would simply state what you think they have done wrong, and what you would like them to do to resolve the situation.
... and include all details of phone conversations as suggested by dogshome, including dates times and names of those you spoke to (if known) both to back up the complaint and also so that a written record is then available of those discussions.

The contents of this entire thread are a good starting point as a reminder of what to include.

CandyBar_2

Update, 10 days on:

I sent EDF a long letter last Tuesday, explaining things and complaining about the way they have handled this. Still waiting to hear back.

I also had an electrician here yesterday to do a Periodic Inspection Report (which EDF is requiring to fit the new meter), but didn't get a satisfactory result (apparently this basically never happens...). However after checking with EDF I only need to fix 'code 1' (requires urgent attention) items, so I may not bother with some of the recommendations. There are 10 items in total. Four of the items flagged are lack of labelling; somehow these are all code 2, although I disagree. Will see what the electrician says.

CandyBar_2

Over two months later, this is all over.

For anyone still following, the highlights:

• After telling me that only 'code 1' items needed fixing, EDF changed their mind, and told me that they would not fit a new meter until a 'satisfactory' PIR (periodic inspection report) was obtained (the quote I got for this was approximately £650). :mad: I asked if this meant that the person I spoke to before was completely wrong - 'yes'.

• I eventually got tired of waiting for a reply to my letter (1+ month after sending it recorded delivery), so I called EDF, and the guy I spoke to told me the letter had been passed to RPS to respond to. Apparently they didn't feel particularly bothered about not having responded to it after a month...
• He promised to investigate and get me a reply/resolve my issue. (He also gave me his direct phone number and was actually eager to help, so EDF deserve a little credit :T)
• A couple of days later I heard back from him and he told me that as far as EDF was concerned, this was a 'third party dispute' (no way to ascertain who used what - and not EDF's place to do so), so while they could fix things going forward, they could not give me back the money I had overpaid.
• I told him that it was unlikely I'd get the money back directly from my neighbour, and that if EDF didn't find some way of helping me get the money back, I'd take them to court (due to their responsibility in this matter).
• He passed me on to his manager who proposed the following deal for my neighbour: "pay half of your neighbour's electricity bill since he moved in, and we'll forget what you used before that". If he accepted this deal, EDF would call it a day, and I'd get my money back. If he didn't, EDF would still give me my money back, but this would leave a debt on our (now shared) account, which we would be jointly liable for.
• As to fitting a new meter, this manager told me that the people insisting I obtain a 'satisfactory' inspection report were basically wrong, and that he'd be happy to book an appointment for this.

• Fast forward a couple of weeks, I get my new meter.
• Fast forward a couple more weeks, and EDF tells me my liability (as far as the consumption on the old 'shared' meter goes) has ceased. :j